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Apprenticeships and traineeships

An Australian Apprenticeship – that is an apprenticeship or traineeship – is a great way to get a head start in a chosen career or to retrain for the career you have always wanted. For employers, Australian Apprentices can bring new and valuable resources and skills into a business.

An Australian Apprenticeship provides a nationally recognised qualification and on-the-job experience. It combines time at work with training and can be completed full-time, part-time or while you are still at school.

Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age regardless of their level of education. You can be a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or an adult worker simply wishing to change careers.

Australian Apprenticeships are available in variety of qualifications levels in more than 500 occupations across Australia, in traditional trades, as well as a diverse range of emerging careers in most sectors of business and industry.

Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website for information on how apprenticeships and traineeships work and the support available for apprentices, trainees and employers.

New Australian Apprenticeship Support Network

The Australian Government is putting in place new arrangements for the delivery of support to Australian Apprentices and their employers. The new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network commenced from 1 July 2015.

Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Programme

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Programme provides a number of incentives to assist employers who take on an Australian Apprentice, particularly where the Australian Apprenticeship is in a trade experiencing a skills shortage.

Trade Support Loans

To support Australian Apprentices to meet everyday costs while they undertake their training, eligible apprentices will be able to apply for Trade Support Loans. These loans provide up to $20,000 worth of income contingent loans and are paid monthly in arrears.

Apprentices will not have to repay the loans until they are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold. In order to maintain the real value of the loans, the loan amount will be indexed according to the Consumer Price Index.

Apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship will receive a 20% discount on their loan amount.

Priority occupations and qualifications

The following lists, in line with paragraph 5 and 6 of theTrade Support Loans Priority List 2014, provide the occupations and qualifications for which skilled persons are a priority. Australian Apprentices undertaking training in one of these qualifications may be eligible to receive Trade Support Loans.